Switch mechanism



H. K. ANSINGH SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Oct. 6, 1922 INVENTOR Herman K. flnsingh. BY I Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

HERMAN K. ANsi'NGn, or cronoivro, ONTARIO, CANADA, Assrenon T wesrmenovsn ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING/COMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed October 6, 1922. Serial N0. 592,767.

My invention relates to switch mechanism and particularly to disconnecting switch mechanism used in connection withcircuitbreakers of the truck-panel type, such,-.for instance, as the circuit breaker mechanism illustrated in my copendingapplication Se-- rial No. 592,766, filed October 6, 192% One object of myinvention is to provide a disconnecting switch for a truck-type circuit' breaker that is rigid in construction and which is self centering with respect to the stationary contact blades of the disconnecting switch, and which affords contact surface.

Another-object o-f my invention is to provide a disconnecting switch wherein the switch jaws maybe displaceda limited distance for the purposeof centering them with respect to the stationary contact blades, and wherein the conductors supporting the switch-jaw members are relatively flexible and have ample current-carrying capacity for insuring relatively low temperatures thereof under normal current conditions.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide stationary contact blades of U-shape which serve to support the bus bars connected thereto and which is simple in construct-ion and easily assembled.

These and other objects that will be made pparent throughout the further description of my invention, are attained by means of the apparatus hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein i Figure 1 is an elevational view of the disconnecting switch mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the stationary con,- tact blades and a portion of the disconnecting switch-j aw members, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the mechanism taken along the line IIIIII of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus includes an insulating tubular bushing 4 having clamp members 5 secured to the cen tral portion thereof for the purpose of atv taching the bushing to the rear face of a truck carrying the circuit breaker. The clamp member is provided with slots 6 for receiving bolts provided on the truck for securing the bushing thereto.

The end of the bushing 4; that projects ample into the truck is provided with a cap member 7 having a rectangular opening 8 therein through which the terminal end of the switch-jaw member 9 extends. The switchjaw member 9 comprises two pairs of metal bolts lt-in the cap. member 7. Bolts 14L constitute theprimary support' for the members 9. j

The strap 12 terminates at the rear face of the cap member 7 and a space 15 is provided between the projecting ends of'the straps 11 for receivinga terminal of the circuit breaker, which is secured to the straps by means of a-bolt that extends through the perforations 16 in the straps, 11'.

The end-of the bushingt that projects from the circuit breaker truck when assembled thereon is provided with a cap member 17 having a rectangular opening 18 therein of sufficient depth to permit of limited Vertical movement of the shank member 13 with respect to the bushing. The projecting ends of the outermost straps 11 are bent outwardly at right angles to the shank member 13 and then ina direction parallel to the axis of the shank in such manner as to offset the ends of the outermost straps 11 with respect to the inner straps, as indicated in Fig. 1. The ends are provided with integral reentrant contact portions 19 that are adapted to yieldingly engage opposite sides of a pair of stationary cont-act blades that are secured to the stationary housing of the circuit breaker mechanism.

A bolt 21 extends through all of the straps constituting the contact jaw for the purpose of limiting their separation. Because of the laminated construction of the shank 13, the entire contact-j aw structure is relatively flexible and, consequently, the contact-jaw members automatically center themselves with respect to the stationary contact blades when moved into engagement therewith, regardless of any irregularities in the rails on which the truck operates which might throw the contact jaws out of alinement with the contact blades.

The central strap 12 serves to reinforce the contactjaw structure and to provide extra conducting material. Ample current-carry in; capacity is, therefore, provided and any tendency for overheating of the shank Within the. bushin is prevented, thus insuring greater durability of the entire structure.

The contact blades comprise a metal strap 22 of U-shape that is secured to an insulating bushing 23 by means of a clam 9 structure E i and clips 25 that are secured to the contact blade strap by means of bolts 26. Two integral blades 27 are retained in spaced relation by means of s iiacing-tubes 28, and the bus bars for supplying current to the contact blades are bolted. to the outer surface of the blades by means of bolts 29 that extend through the bus burs blades and spacing; tubes.

The blades, therefore, constitute a rigid support for the bus bars whichmay extend transversely of the circuit-breaker housing in the usual manner. The construction rigid and compact and the blades are rigidly secured in position. When the disconnecting switch is in operative engagement with the contact l lades, the members of the apparatus occupy the position indicated in Fig. 1.

While I have illustrated and described but one embodiment ofmy invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, additions, substitutions and omissions maybe made in the apparatus illustrated Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A switch-jaw. member comprising five relatively long and flexible conducting strips secured together at one end and constituting a relatively flexible laminated conducting member, the outermost pairs of strips being offset with respect to one another and provided with reentrant, contact surfaces for engaging opposite sides ot a pair of cont-act blade members.

:2. The combination with a pair of spaced bus bars and a supporting member, of a metal conducting strip of U-shape secured to th bus l are and having end portions extending transi 'ersely 0t, and beyond, the bus bars and constituting contact blades, and means for securing the strip to the support ing member.

3. The combination with a pair of spaced busbars and a supporting member, of a metal conducting strip of U-shape having end portions extending transversely of, and beyond, the bus bars and constituting contact blades, tubular spacing means between blades, and bolts extending through the bus bars, blades and spacing means for securing the bus bars to the strip.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of September, 1922.

HERMAN K. ANSINGH. 

